Players to Watch in NV 3A Playoffs
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Players to watch from both Northern and Southern regions in NV’s 3A playoffs. First-round games take place this Thursday 10/26. Northern: Joe Birnbaum Joe Birnbaum 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Truckee | 2025 State NV HEIGHT 5'11" POS RB…
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Continue ReadingPlayers to watch from both Northern and Southern regions in NV’s 3A playoffs. First-round games take place this Thursday 10/26.
Northern:
Birnbaum is the leading playmaker for the #1 team in 3A. Truckee’s junior RB leads the offense in rushing (90 carr., 925 yards, 18 TDs) and receiving (34 recs., 704 yards, 9 TDs). He’s a dynamic athlete with pure playmaking talent and ability with the ball in his hands. He offers speed, elusiveness, great balance through contact, and versatility in his slot-WR skillset. Birnbaum was a huge piece of Truckee’s 10-0 regular season run and could be the difference-maker for a second consecutive state championship.
Maxx Ellermeyer
Maxx Ellermeyer
Ellermeyer is the second-leading tackler (95) and the leader in TFLs (26) in NV 3A football. He’s an extremely active and athletic LB with the speed and trigger downhill to create negative plays against the run game. He’s physical as a tackler despite his smaller frame for the position (6’/180) using it to his advantage when evading blockers and shooting through narrow gaps. Ellermeyer, NV 3A’s leading tackler in 2022, is the leader for a Truckee defense allowing less than 14 ppg.
Roland Grondin
Roland Grondin
NV 3A’s leading rusher has totaled over 1,400 yards and 14 TDs on 196 carries (7.3 ypc) for Churchill County this season. Grondin’s a smaller, more elusive ball-carrier at 5’9”/160 that runs with churning speed and downhill leg drive. He rushed for 100+ yards and a TD in seven of CC’s nine games, including a 192-yard/3 TD-performance against their first round opponent- Lowry- in the final regular season game. Grondin will be a key factor against Elko if Churchill County is able to make it out of the first round- Elko won the regular season matchup 13-8.
More Northern 3A Players to Watch:
- Eli Finlayson Eli Finlayson 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Elko | 2024 State NV (RB / 2024 / Elko)
- Jace Estabrook Jace Estabrook 5'8" | 145 lbs | QB Truckee | 2025 State NV (QB / 2024 / Truckee)
- Preston Chamberlin Preston Chamberlin 6'3" | 220 lbs | TE Elko | 2024 State NV (TE / 2024 / Elko)
- Cody Acord- (DL / 2024 / Spring Creek)
Southern:
Nevil’s arguably the most talented and gifted playmaker in NV’s 3A class. He possesses D-I level foot speed/quickness, is extremely fluid and elusive at the second/third levels, and can hit a second gear to break away from defenders and finish explosive plays. He’s also an active defender from his SS/OLB spot that excels in zone coverage where he can utilize his natural athleticism and ability to play in space. Nevil’s a close second in total rushing yards among 3A RBs with over 1,300 yards and 21 TDs out of the backfield and 4 INTs on defense. SLAM will face the winner of (4) Virgin Valley and (5) Democracy Prep Agassi Campus in the second round.
Highlights
Shandon Matheson
Shandon Matheson
Matheson proved to be among the most dynamic players in 3A while racking up over 1,200 rushing yards and 20 TDs on the season. He shows good bounce in his step as a ball-carrier and can accelerate through openings with burst. He’s extremely light on his feet and can cut and change direction fluidly. He’s a strong defender from his SS/OLB spot that can tackle and cover between the hash and numbers effectively. Matheson and Moapa Valley secured a first-round bye as the #2 seed in the Southern region setting up a potential rematch against their only league loss this season- SLAM (34-7).
Hopkinson has been a quiet stock-riser among 3A QBs while leading Boulder City to a 6-2 regular season finish with nearly 1,900 passing yards and 20 TDs to 5 INTs. He also leads the team in rushing with 320 yards and 5 TDs on 78 carries. He’s a naturally athletic QB that can escape the pocket, find receivers on the run, and challenge secondaries vertically with his natural arm strength. He’s a raw passer from the pocket that can deliver the ball with finesse and accuracy. Hopkinson will look to lead #3 Boulder City to a potential upset over #2 Moapa Valley if they’re able to get past #6 Mater East in the first round.
More Southern 5A Players to Watch:
- Chysten Tabangcura Chysten Tabangcura 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH SLAM | 2024 State NV (ATH / 2024 / SLAM)
- Chase Otteson Chase Otteson 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Virgin Valley | 2024 State NV (WR / 2024 / Virgin Valley)
- Decker Lee Decker Lee 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Virgin Valley | 2025 State NV (RB / 2025 / Virgin Valley)
- Gunner Cortez Gunner Cortez 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB Virgin Valley | 2024 State NV (QB / 2025 / Virgin Valley)
- Gavyn Frederick (DL / 2025 / Moapa Valley)
- Brady Sorenson (ATH / 2024 / Boulder City)